Page:Stray feathers. Journal of ornithology for India and its dependencies (IA strayfeathersjou11873hume).pdf/69



Vol. I.]   FEBRUARY, 1873. [ Nos. 2 & 3.

The following is an attempt to present a complete list of all the species of birds which are at present known to occur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The association of the two faunas in one list is to be defended rather upon political than zoological grounds; for, if we except a few species which occur in both groups of islands, the avifaunas may be regarded as distinct. The Nicobarian avifauna has a Malayan facies, while that of the Andamans is decidedly Indian.

Of the 133 species included in the following list, 106 occur in the Andamans, and 51 in the Nicobars. Such of them as are to be found in Dr. Jerdon's "Birds of India" are not here described; but of all Others the original descriptions are given in full, together with any observations, measurements, &c., which may have been subsequently recorded.

Many of the species are, I am fully aware, susceptible of more critical treatment than they have received at my hands. But, whatever faults it may contain, I am inclined to believe that the publication of this paper will be of some service, as bringing together a number of original descriptions which, being scattered through various publications, are not readily accessible.

The principal contributors to our knowledge of the ornithology of the Andamans and Nicobars are--

E. ^istTR, Journal, A. S. B., Vols, xiv to xix; Ibis, 1863 and 1868; and Appendix to Mouat^s Adventures and Besearches. Colonel^TYUS^, Journal, k.. S. B., Vol. xxxiii, and Proc, A. S. B., 1865. Captain Beavan, Viscount

Herr

Ibis.

Walden,

v. Pelzeln,

N.

S., II,

1866, and

Proc. Zool. Soc, 1866.

Reise der Novara, Vogel.

N.

S.,III, 1867.